Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum - View Single Post

Darren · 05-27-2011, 08:57 AM

I agree with a lot of the what the others are saying, i'd just like to add something to the things to look for when assessing whether a car (any car, not just a 240) is worth purchasing:

Look at how the body panels fit, if they seem to be uneven and the doors don't close right, then there's likely a major problem with the body. Mechanical problems can be fixed pretty easily (although not always inexpensively), but body problems are a hole other ballgame, especially if it's not just rusty. If there's a kink in the framrails or the unibody panels, or the body is twisted due to an accident, then it'll never be the same as factory. Even if you took it to a body shop, it would never be the same.

So take a really good long look at the body and how the panels fit together and if you see anything out of alignment, have someone you trust, or a professional shop, have a look at it.

I'm not saying you should simply walk away from a car just because it's gaps aren't perfect, however, nobody on zilvia would have bought their cars if that was the criteria. Just try to make sure you're not walking into a bodywork nightmare and are force to buy a new shell or new car just because the body was dead like Steinkrunk had to...

Hope that helps a bit...

There's just NO REPLACEMENT for EXPERIENCE .....

Good luck, glad to see another female interested in the scene...

05-27-2011, 08:57 AM	#33
Darren Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: kelowna, bc, canada Age: 49 Posts: 680 Trader Rating: (1)	I agree with a lot of the what the others are saying, i'd just like to add something to the things to look for when assessing whether a car (any car, not just a 240) is worth purchasing: Look at how the body panels fit, if they seem to be uneven and the doors don't close right, then there's likely a major problem with the body. Mechanical problems can be fixed pretty easily (although not always inexpensively), but body problems are a hole other ballgame, especially if it's not just rusty. If there's a kink in the framrails or the unibody panels, or the body is twisted due to an accident, then it'll never be the same as factory. Even if you took it to a body shop, it would never be the same. So take a really good long look at the body and how the panels fit together and if you see anything out of alignment, have someone you trust, or a professional shop, have a look at it. I'm not saying you should simply walk away from a car just because it's gaps aren't perfect, however, nobody on zilvia would have bought their cars if that was the criteria. Just try to make sure you're not walking into a bodywork nightmare and are force to buy a new shell or new car just because the body was dead like Steinkrunk had to... Hope that helps a bit... There's just NO REPLACEMENT for EXPERIENCE ..... Good luck, glad to see another female interested in the scene...